Detachable handle for paint roller pan

Abstract

A paint roller pan detachable handle or lifter has been discovered that facilitates convenient and rapid movement of paint roller pans when they are filled or partially filled with paint. The configuration of the handle is such that the paint roller pan can be lifted and carried with one hand without bending over to pick up the pan, thereby reducing the risk of paint spills and speeding the application of paint. The novel handle contains features that engage the rim and bottom of the pan and releasably hold the pan. A rim engaging clamp that is slidably attached to an upright portion of the handle provides means for rapid detachment of the handle from the paint roller pan. In one embodiment of the novel handle of the invention the upper portion of the handle contains a means, such as an arcuate surface, for retaining a paint roller handle such that the paint roller and paint roller pan can be carried together.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A detachable paint roller pan lifter for moving a paint roller pan or tray, comprising: handle means for carrying said lifter, said handle means comprising a single vertical rod terminating in a free distal end;   roller pan support means for engaging a major portion of the exterior horizontal bottom portion of said pan, said support means connected to a proximal or bottom portion of said vertical rod in a generally horizontal position;   roller pan rim engaging means for releasably engaging a major portion of a side edge of said rim and retaining said support means in contact with said pan bottom, said engaging means slidably connected to said rod for vertical movement.   
     
     
       2. The pan lifter of claim 1 wherein said support means comprises an essentially flat, rectangular member. 
     
     
       3. The pan lifter of claim 2 wherein said support means comprises semicircular or circular rod. 
     
     
       4. The lifter of claim 1 wherein said distal end of said rod is horizontally disposed in the same direction as said pan support means. 
     
     
       5. The pan lifter of claim 4 wherein said horizontal rod terminates in a length less than that of said paint roller pan and the unconnected end of said horizontal rod contains means for retaining a paint roller handle. 
     
     
       6. The pan lifter of claim 5 wherein the means for retaining a paint roller handle comprises said unconnected end containing a horizontal arcuate shape, the apex of the arc of which is disposed in a direction toward said vertical rod. 
     
     
       7. The pan lifter of claim 1 wherein said pan rim engaging means comprises an angular member of length sufficient to engage said major portion of said rim side edge, said rim engaging means having a first side containing an aperture therein and disposed horizontally in a direction opposite to that of said pan support means and a second side disposed in a downward vertical direction, said vertical rod passing through said aperture whereby said rim engaging means is slidably connected to said rod for vertical movement. 
     
     
       8. A removable paint roller pan handle for moving a paint roller pan, comprising: a single rod having a major vertical portion and a minor horizontal portion terminating in a free distal end;   means for supporting a major portion of the exterior horizontal bottom of said paint roller pan, said means horizontally connected to the bottom of said vertical portion of said rod and disposed in the same direction as said minor portion of said rod;   pan rim clamp means for releasably engaging a major portion of a side edge of said rim and retaining said support means in contact with said pan bottom, said clamp means slidably connected to said vertical portion of said rod.   
     
     
       9. The handle of claim 8 wherein said support means comprises a plate means. 
     
     
       10. The handle of claim 8 wherein said support means comprises linear, semicircular or circular rod. 
     
     
       11. The handle of claim 8 wherein said pan rim clamp means is slidably connected to said vertical portion of said rod. 
     
     
       12. The handle of claim 8 wherein said pan rim clamp means comprises an angular member of length sufficient to engage said major portion of said rim side edge, said rim clamp means having a first side containing an aperture therein and disposed horizontally in a direction opposite to that of said pan support means, and a second side disposed in a downward vertical direction, said vertical rod portion passing through said aperture whereby said rim clamp means is slidably connected to said rod. 
     
     
       13. The handle of claim 8 wherein said horizontal rod portion terminates in a length less than that of said paint roller pan and the end of said horizontal rod portion contains means for retaining a paint roller handle. 
     
     
       14. The handle of claim 13 wherein the means for retaining a paint roller handle comprises said end of said horizontal rod portion having a horizontal arcuate shape disposed in a direction toward said vertical rod portion. 
     
     
       15. A readily detachable paint roller pan handle for moving a paint roller pan, comprising: a single upright rod having a major vertical portion and a minor horizontal portion terminating in a free or unconnected distal end, said rod having an essentially rectangular cross section;   plate means for supporting a major portion of the exterior horizontal bottom of said paint roller pan, said means horizontally connected to the bottom portion of said vertical portion of said rod and disposed in the same direction as said minor portion of said rod;   pan rim clamp means for releasably engaging a major portion of a side edge of said rim and retaining said plate means in contact with said pan bottom, said clamp means comprising an angular member having a first side and second side, said first side being disposed horizontally in a direction opposite to that of said pan support means and containing an aperture therein whereby said clamp means is slidably connected there through to said vertical portion of said rod for vertical movement, and a second side disposed in a downward vertical direction for a length sufficient to overlap said rim.